As the Board of Directors of Alpha & Omega Project for Contemporary Religious Arts gathered this past weekend in Indianapolis this for its annual meeting, it did so celebrating its first anniversary as an independent 501(C)3 charitable trust. It is in the role as trustees that we share with you our observations of the significant progress made by this organization during the past year. In 2008, a group of visionaries saw the potential of the visual arts to provide a little tested vehicle for interfaith understanding. These visionaries had no road-map to follow -- but they had faith that could set the groundwork for broad community ownership.
A year ago this month at the offices of Blackburn Architects, a set of initial goals were adopted at the first meeting of a new independently operated nonprofit, and through the generosity of affiliates, donors, and advisors such as yourself has resulted in the launch of the first A&O gallery show on November 6th. We've expanded our art prize outreach and produced monthly educational programs throughout the entire year. As this new independently operated A&O has gained solid footing, we've never looked back, except to say thank you to all our supporters. As the project continues to emerge as a cultural presence, the following are a few of the achievements of the past year:
- A&O received IRS approval to operate as an independently operated tax-deductible 501(C)3 educational foundation with an advisory board of national religious & cultural leaders.
- A&O moved from informal gatherings at a variety of artistic & religious locations to its permanent home at the Indiana Interchurch Center in Indianapolis.
- A&O began with no "seed-funding" and an untried "concept," but now has regular financial support and program partners, including the beginning of an advertising revenue stream from the original online blog.
- A&O established its first young artist scholarship of $750 based in part on a gift from a supporter in Miami, Florida, and this will awarded to the winners of a high school art contest opening on November 6 at the new Indiana Interchurch Center gallery.
- A&O affirmed that the A&O Prize for Contemporary Religious Art is the projects primary program, and certified the vote for the winning entry which will be announced, as is customary on November 1st.
Respectfully,
PASTOR JACKIE JACKSON, board chair
& ERNEST O. BRITTON, project director & CEO
0 comments:
Post a Comment